Garrett Nichols, age 7 in this photo 2003, concentrates on a pitch from his dad as the pair play ball outside their house in Richland. Just 37 days later, Garrett underwent a kidney transplant.

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When Garrett Nichols was 4 years old, his kindergarten teacher wanted a word with his mother. She told her Garrett was always tapping on something with his hands and fingers - a desk, a table, the floor - and asked if she would speak to him about it.

But his teacher had one more thing to share: "He's not just making racket. I think your son has an incredible gift. Another teacher and I just stared at one another when Garrett was beating on the desk the other day. He sounded like a professional drummer."

At 16, Garrett is still tapping, only now on a full set of drums. He has sat in with bands, played at church ...